Pneumothorax and talc

[Camposdemurcia]

My husband has severe copd. He was waiting for a lung reduction operation but has been told his lungs are now to bad all over. He is in hospital having had a pneumothorax. He has a large drain insitu. The intention is when the air is removed to put talc in between his lungs and chest to act as a glue so that it will prevent his lungs from deflating. This will get him a bit more time but like all things it has significant risks. Does anyone have experience of this procedure and outcome? Are we looking at extra weeks or months and is there a reasonable quality of life after this procedure?

[Hidden]

Hello. How I feel for him. I was in hospital for 12 weeks from early May to mid july because my left lung kept going down. It went down 4 times. My right lung is so damaged with bronchiectasis that it could not take over when the left lung was down. I had the talc procedure twice. The first time it went down again quite quickly. The second time it worked. I came home in mid july and fingers ctossed, so far it has not gone down again and I am very slowly regaining my strength. I am still in pain ftom all of the drains and very nervous that it will go down again. If you or your husband want a more detailed talk about it send me a private message.

[Dottie11 in reply to Hidden]

I hope you continue to recover. I had not heard of this. Thank you.

[Camposdemurcia in reply to Hidden]

Thank you fir sharing your experience. When I arrived at the hospital today the first treatment with talc had been completed. My husband is very sleepy as he has been given oromorph. I've been advised it will be a day or two before we know whether it has worked.

[Hidden in reply to Camposdemurcia]

It is quite a painful procedure. They gave me oromorph but I hated it because it made me whoozy but didn't kill the pain. He needs to give it chance to work now so no lifting his arms above his head or lifting anything else or stretching. I do hope that it works for him. My son has a friend whose Mother had it 10 years ago and is still fine so let's hope that is the case for both myself and your husband.

[Camposdemurcia in reply to Hidden]

That gives me some hope. Thank you for that. Today they have added the talc and by the time I got to see him he was very sleepy due to more oromorph

[Camposdemurcia in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for sharing yiur experience. I did reply earlier but clicked on the wrong button

[Donald_1931]

So glad that Hidden has been able to offer you some help where I never could. My very best wishes to you and your husband for a great outcome. Don, Smudge and I'm sure the rest of the group. xx

[Camposdemurcia in reply to Donald_1931]

Thank you for your kind wishes.

[misswobble]

Sorry to hear that 😕

My husband, son and nephew have all had pneumothorax at young ages. My son had no treatment after his lung was successfully dealt with in A&E.

My husband had the treatment you describe above, aged 24. It was his third lung collapse. It’s kaolin I believe that gets used. My husband was young and otherwise fit at the time but it was a worrying time after the procedure in hospital, after failing to keep his lung inflated. He had heroin as a painkiller then he was put on Pethedine, then Paracetomol. His hair fell out in clumps but it grew back well. He was very weak for a while, but fresh air and walks helped. He returned to football despite being told never to play again. Ditto golf or raquet sports

He recovered completely and is now 67 and still working 🙂 He did, however, have pneumonia last March and it was the same lung involved. He’s fine again though 🙂

My son, husband and nephew were all tall, thin, young men with active, physical jobs. My nephew was in the army at time and they performed major surgery on him as they didn’t think the kaolin treatment would last in his case.

I hope all goes well with your husband 🙂

[Alberta56 in reply to misswobble]

Your husband sounds a great guy.

[misswobble in reply to Alberta56]

43 years we’ve been married 🙂

[Camposdemurcia in reply to misswobble]

Wow. Your family has been through so much at such young ages. They sound incredibly strong and determined. I hope they have many healthy years a head of them. Your story gives me hope. Thank you for sharing.

[misswobble in reply to Camposdemurcia]

You’re welcome 🙂

[Alberta56]

I hope all goes well. xxx

[Bingo88]

Just adding my good wishes for a good outcome from your Husbands procedure. It must be a worrying time for you both. Brian

[watergazer]

Sorry can’t help but wish you and your hubby all the best x🤗

[Camposdemurcia in reply to watergazer]

Thank you

[jhorsf]

Wishing your husband a speedy recovery, don't surprised if the oramorph makes him vomit ,it does me if in regular use.

[Camposdemurcia in reply to jhorsf]

Thank you. It doesn't seem to make him sick but he does get hallucinations

[Germantara]

I haven't heard off this till now I wish you're hubby well and speedy recovery

[Camposdemurcia in reply to Germantara]

Thank you